TINKLER'S SACK FLIP: Jets back down on bid to axe Carney over ‘breaches’
By ROBERT DILLON
Feb. 19, 2015, 10:30 p.m
CROWD favourite Joel Griffiths has been cleared to join a rival club, while former Socceroo David Carney has received a stay of execution after another eventful day for the Newcastle Jets.
Jets officials issued two statements on Thursday, the first revealing they had ‘‘withdrawn’’ their claim to have Carney sacked for alleged code-of-conduct breaches.
Two hours later, the club announced that Griffiths had signed a mutual-termination agreement, leaving the 35-year-old free to consider all offers.
There was speculation he would sign with Wellington Phoenix, although he has also been linked to Perth and Western Sydney.
Griffiths and Carney were among five senior players, along with Kew Jaliens, Adrian Madaschi and Billy Celeski, whom Jets owner Nathan Tinkler announced had been sacked three weeks ago after a power struggle with coach Phil Stubbins.
Coaching staff members Clayton Zane, Neil Young and Andrew Packer were also dismissed, effective immediately.
Carney’s situation remains unclear after Jets officials averted an arbitration hearing on Friday that may have left the club facing a payout of more than $300,000. The Jets were intent on proving that they were entitled to tear up the final year of the 31-year-old’s contract because of three alleged breaches.
But on Thursday the club announced it had ‘‘withdrawn a breach of the code of conduct previously assigned to player David Carney’’, after which the Professional Footballers Association withdrew its grievance claim on Carney’s behalf.
“Throughout what has been a very difficult time for David, his professionalism and integrity have been of the highest possible order,” PFA chief executive Adam Vivian said.
“As has been the case during his time at the club, David remains completely committed to the Jets and is eager to put the matter behind him and focus on helping the club climb up the ladder.”
But it remains to be seen if Stubbins, who was asked for comment on Thursday but did not reply, will reinstate Carney after their bitter falling-out.
New Jets chief executive Mitchell Murphy, who also did not respond to attempts to contact him, gave no indication in a statement whether Carney would be considered for selection.
“It is the club’s desire to work proactively behind the scenes with David and the PFA and to resolve the situation in a timely manner,” Murphy said.
After the departure of Griffiths, who scored 34 goals in 83 games for the Jets in two stints, was confirmed, Murphy said the 2008 grand final winner had made a ‘‘valuable contribution’’ to the club.
“Joel’s been an outstanding player for the Jets, but sometimes there are difficult circumstances in football,’’ Murphy said.
There was no confirmation the Jets had settled a host of much-publicised liabilities, in particular a superannuation debt estimated to be in the region of $400,000 and a Tax Office debt that led to a garnishee order being imposed on Tinkler’s companies.
Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop warned Tinkler last week that he had a ‘‘matter of days’’ to meet his obligations, but at a press conference on Thursday his tone was measured.
‘‘They are certainly taking some positive steps and have appointed a new CEO in Mitchell Murphy,’’ Gallop said.
‘‘We need to continue to make sure they are doing the things they need to and get that club in the state it should be. They’re in a position at the moment where they are working to get it right.
‘‘There is no particular deadline for that position now, but we’d like it sorted sooner rather than later.’’
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/28...carney/?cs=306
Originally Posted by Grimario
